ABSTRACT

Family businesses are the most common business form in the world, ranging from the millions of small local businesses to giants such as Walmart. This book showcases the crucial contribution that family businesses make to the world economy and informs students of the existing and potential research in this area.

Drawing upon global academic research and case studies, theories of family businesses are explained and prevailing myths and assumptions are tested. Features including exercises linked to case studies develop skills in applying theories in practice.

This concise textbook is essential reading for students of family business and useful additional reading for those interested in entrepreneurship more broadly.

chapter 1|11 pages

What’s so special about family business?

chapter 2|17 pages

Nothing so practical as a good theory

chapter 3|15 pages

Family firms

Same or different?

chapter 4|19 pages

Professionalisation and governance

chapter 5|19 pages

Families in business

Expansion and entrepreneurship

chapter 6|20 pages

Succession issues and alternatives

chapter 8|17 pages

Finance, investment, and shareholding

chapter 10|16 pages

Longevity and the future for family firms